Saturday, August 25, 2012

Maddon said after being briefed a couple days ago by the Secret Service he was comfortable with the situation. “They’ve discussed the potential with us - the protestors, a little practice run prior to the actual event. I guess you have to respect their preparedness. I’m not concerned, according to the people that we’ve spoken with everything is being prepared for and they are ready for any kind of potential demonstration. ... We had a meeting the other day with a fellow from Secret Service and he informed of us what they were doing in preparing for this day and for the event in general, and also the potential concern for an attempted demonstration on the field during the course of the game. They are definitely aware that it may occur and everybody will be in the right positions. Until you brought it up to me I’d forgetten all about it and I’d like to believe that all our players did the same thing.’‘

Maddon said the players were told to come to the dugout if a large group of protestors come on the field. “Obviously if it’s more than one person than you would just come off the field. If it’s the typical attempt, like to streak across the field, then they’d send out their best defensive back and just tackle them.’‘

...Rays players have been cautioned about the possibility of 30-40 protestors running onto the field to disrupt play today and garner attention, like a flash mob. Extra security is on hand at the Trop, which is the site of Sunday’s RNC welcome party.

The players were told essentially that a disruption was possible and to avoid conflict.

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BREAKING: Rays players have been cautioned about the possibility of 30-40 protestors running onto the field to disrupt play today and garner attention, like a flash mob. Extra security is on hand at the Trop, which is the site of Sunday's RNC welcome party.

The players were told essentially that a disruption was possible and to avoid conflict

So if they see 30-40 people in the stands, they know something is afoot.

When I was a kid, fans spilling onto the field was a common occurance. In your mind's eye, can you see Hank Aaron's 715th without seeing those two kids meeting him around second or can you picture Chris Chambliss's ALCS walk-off a couple of years later without picturing him fighting through the scrum between third and home? Was there a season between 1970 and 1980 without a Morganna sighting?

When I was approaching my 30s, fans still went onto the field. The first Met's game after the '94 strike saw three of my college friends running around first base throwing dollar bills at the players and, when brought to court, the judge told them of being a heartbroken Willie Mays era NY Giants fan before dismissing all charges with trival community service requirements.

Now, only a decade and a half later, fans get tasered when they go on the field.

Hell, in 1948 a bunch of kids ran out to Joe Dimaggio once in the middle of a game in Yankee Stadium, and he actually signed an autograph for one of them before the cops hauled them away. The fans all booed the cops.

A guy I know -- who is now an official scorer for an MLB team -- was once arrested for climbing all the way to the top of the foul pole during the middle of a game at the home stadium of the same team he now works for. He stayed up there for awhile and the cops had to actually climb up the foul pole themselves to apprehend him. I didn't believe him when he told me the story, until he showed me the newspaper clippings to prove it.

When I was a kid, fans spilling onto the field was a common occurance. In your mind's eye, can you see Hank Aaron's 715th without seeing those two kids meeting him around second or can you picture Chris Chambliss's ALCS walk-off a couple of years later without picturing him fighting through the scrum between third and home? Was there a season between 1970 and 1980 without a Morganna sighting?

When I was approaching my 30s, fans still went onto the field. The first Met's game after the '94 strike saw three of my college friends running around first base throwing dollar bills at the players and, when brought to court, the judge told them of being a heartbroken Willie Mays era NY Giants fan before dismissing all charges with trival community service requirements.

Now, only a decade and a half later, fans get tasered when they go on the field.

You bought a ticket for a seat at a ballpark - stay in your f####ing seat! Stop talking on your cellphone, getting up every inning to buy beer and food or crappy merchandise. Keep a scorecard, pay attention or go home!

You stay where you belong, the players stay where they belong. You have as much right to come on the field as I do to come into your office.